A Costantino Return?

State Representative Steven Costantino's post as chairman of the House Finance Committee proved a major drain on his bid for the Providence mayor's office, given the state's budget woes.

But Costantino remains a respected figure in political circles, given his deep knowledge of the state's budget process. And the chatter on Smith Hill has him possibly returning to the State House next year as a budget official in a new gubernatorial administration.